Don't Go, Summer

It is the end of September but today's weather was gorgeous - warm and sunny with a clear blue sky!  

This is the kind of weather we should have had during summer instead of cold, grey rainy days.

Perfect weather for alfresco dining.

I finally found a supermarket here that sells fresh unmarinated pork ribs.  They are amazingly difficult to find.  Ah, the things we take for granted back home.  So Lucas got a treat today - pork rib porridge with gouji berries. 

Giving his views on life..

.. and doing some self-reflection.

Or he could just be thinking about what he did in the morning:

Guess it's time to baby-proof the entertainment system :)

Busy, Busy, Busy

There's a little busy bee in the house..

Busy learning to pluck apples..

Vacuuming the floor with his favourite truck..

Making mummy come up with mealtime entertainment..

and daddy too..

Checking the furniture..

It's not the Financial Times, but it's a start.

And this is what happens when mummy doesn't have arms like Elastigirl..

Yes, and busy going kai kai :)

Drive BE: Ghent

We made a weekend getaway to Ghent in early September.  Just 2 hours drive from The Hague, it is an old Gothic town in Belgium, full of antique buildings and museums.

Old buildings beautifully lighted up at night.

Cute bus to transport wedding guests.

Enjoying ribs by the Korenlei, Ghent's inner waterway.

Bar on wheels - let's drink beer and see the sights at the same time!

The highlight of the trip was a visit to the Ghent Design Museum.  There were so many beautifully designed objects under one roof!  The collections comprised 17th and 18th century furnishing, Art Nouveau, Art Deco pieces and modern day furniture, glass and ceramics. 

Beautiful collection of Art Nouveau vases

Art Deco vases

More Art Deco pieces

Art Nouveau interior

A sample of the modern collection:

Teapot, cups and saucers

Salt and pepper shakers

Leaf tray

Teapot and cup by Philippe Starck

This chair is called "Bullsit"

Merry-go-round of Alessi creations

Vases made of tiny beads

More photos here: https://picasaweb.google.com/110776657145071773017/Gent2011#

Lucas at 8 months

No wonder Daddy is losing hair..

Not happy to try out his winter suit.

Watching... no, not the television, but sun rays coming in through the window.

This one is specially for Aunty Beatrice :)

Only one well-behaved shot.  The rest were like these!

"Ahh, crawling?  Walking?  The only skill I need is getting this thing into my mouth, Mummy.  Very important."

Maybe Next Time, London

A day after we came back from KL, we were off to London!

London is a great city to visit, one of the best holiday destinations around.  Unfortunately, it is not so great for a 7 month old in a stroller.

We discovered (the hard way) how baby-unfriendly the Tube is.  Lots of steps and very high escalators.  Impossible to use if you have a baby in a stroller and only one pair of hands.  I wonder how the handicapped travel on the Tube.  Or maybe they don't.

It was a working trip for Kev, so Lucas and I spent a lot of time in the hotel room recovering from jetlag and watching the riots on TV.

Ah well, maybe next time, London!

Waiting for our flight at the Rotterdam The Hague Airport.  

We flew to London City Airport.  Both are great airports - very well located and due to their small size, checking in, luggage claim and immigration clearance were a breeze.

Checking into the Guoman Charing Cross, great hotel!

First taste of English Breakfast, calls for a big big bib.